A 33-year-old Hillside resident was walking home around 10:45 p.m. when he was approached by Gary Nash, 19, of Irvington and Malik Wimberly, 20, of Elizabeth, Ricciardi said. The victim was allegedly hit in the face by a padlock, resulting in multiple facial fractures, including a broken nose, a fractured cheek bone and a fracture on the left side of his head, Ricciardi said.

After beating the victim unconscious, the two men allegedly stole $75 and his cell phone, Ricciardi said. He was transported to University Hospital in Newark where he remains in serious condition, Ricciardi said.

The two suspects then allegedly attempted to rob a second man a few blocks away, Riccardi said. But the victim was able to escape and give police a description of the two, who were discovered on Ramsey Street wearing bloody sneakers and jeans.

Both Nash and Wimberly were charged with two counts of robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. They are currently being held at Union County Jail in lieu of $250,000.